Environmental justice describes the commitment of the Federal Government, through its policies, programs, and activities, to avoid placing disproportionately high and adverse effects on the human health and environment of minority or low-income populations. As described in the 2010 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR), our Nations vision of homeland security is a homeland safe and secure, resilient against terrorism and other hazards, and where American interests and aspirations and the American way of life can thrive. In seeking to fulfill this vision, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aspires to avoid burdening minority and low-income populations with a disproportionate share of any adverse human health or environmental risks associated with our efforts to secure the Nation. DHS joins with other departments and agencies to appropriately include environmental justice practices in our larger mission efforts involving federal law enforcement and emergency response activities.

For those who don't have the patience to read the whole thing (Can't say I blame you, I wanted to slit my wrists), here are the low lights of the above document:

(Emphasis added where appropriate.)

**************************************

From page 1:

"DHS ability to affect environmental justice arises principally through environmental review of the impact of our own operations, financial assistance to state, local and tribal governments, and through regulatory permitting activities. Recognizing that the incorporation of environmental justice policies may be highly variable across parts of the Department depending on a components mission, this Environmental Justice Strategy is intended to promote a comprehensive, consistent and adaptive strategy among our components. In August 2011, DHS joined a Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Justice (EJ MOU) to participate in government-wide environmental justice efforts, consistent with DHS own authorities and missions, and is a 'Participating Agency' in the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice, pursuant to section III.B of the EJ MOU."

From page 2:

"Along the Nations land borders and coastal waters, DHS has a significant physical presence, principally through the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where environmental justice considerations arise. Through the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) work in emergency preparedness and response, the agency helps ensure environmental justice in communities that must prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, or recover from an emergency or disaster."

From page 3:

"A.How the Environmental Justice Strategy Was Developed

DHS began the development of this Environmental Justice Strategy with the Secretary of Homeland Securitys participation in the White House Environmental Justice Forum in December 2010. Initially through participation in the Interagency Environmental Justice Working Group, DHS began tailoring its strategy to its mission requirements by establishing internal environmental justice points of contact in its major areas of responsibility. From these points of contact, DHS formed a working group of those components with a larger role in ensuring that environmental justice is appropriately considered in securing the homeland. The working group was co-chaired by the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) and the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Environmental Programs within the Management, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (OCAO) and met regularly to identify programs already implemented with consideration to environmental justice. Figure 1, at the end of this Strategy shows the offices of DHS that participated in this internal work group. This strategy was developed over the course of a year-long process of discussion and formal internal review. These ongoing efforts reinforced the Departments commitment and are listed in Appendix B." (Funny how the word "Congress" doesn't appear in this paragraph, huh?)

Page 4:

"Environmental justice considerations are taken into account at the earliest stages of planning new policies, programs and activities by OCAO, which has Department-wide oversight of asset management and of environmental and historic preservation planning and compliance."

From page 5:

"Effectively communicating through active outreach efforts with the public, the academic community, other agencies, and non-federal governmental entities, including government-to government contact with tribes, to anticipate, understand, and resolve specific issues of concern raised by our activities, including activities designed to adapt to climate change. Communication on initiatives related to environmental justice will implement the DHS Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons (http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/laws/gc_1277242893223.shtm, along with multi-lingual summaries), and with the Departments forthcoming language access plan."

From page 9:

"Environmental justice has been a consideration in DHS activities since early in the formation of the department. In addition, some components of DHS came into the department with a legacy of consideration of environmental justice because they formerly existed within departments that were required to comply with the EO. USCG was covered by the EO because it was part of the Department of Transportation (DOT) in 1994. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was also covered, since it was formed within DOT in November 2001. Similarly, the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, most of which has become a component of DHS, was covered by the EO because it was part of the Department of Justice in 1994. However, FEMA voluntarily undertook efforts to comply with the EO in 1994, although it was an independent agency at that time.

Consideration of environmental justice became a formal operating requirement in DHS with the issuing of Directive 023-1, Environmental Planning Program, in April 2006. Directive 023-1 implemented NEPA and required that environmental justice considerations be a part of the review process required by NEPA*."

*In 1969, NEPA, or the National Environmental Policy Act, was one of the first laws ever written that establishes a broad national framework for protecting our environment. NEPA's basic policy is to assure that all branches of government give proper consideration to the environment prior to undertaking any major federal action that could significantly affect the environment."

http://www.epa.gov/region1/nepa/

And what is "environmental justice" again ?

"Mother Jones: Can you briefly explain what 'environmental justice' means to you?

Van Jones: Environmental justice is the movement to ensure that no community suffers disproportionate environmental burdens or goes without enjoying fair environmental benefits."

http://motherjones.com/environment/2008/10/qa-van-jones

Mmmmhmmmm..... and why is "environmental justice" so important, Vannie ?

"VJ:Well, the only reason that we have the unsustainable accounting that we have right now is because incinerators, dumping grounds, and sacrifice zones were put where poor people live. It would never have been allowed if you had to put all the incinerators and nasty stuff in rich people's neighborhoods; we'd have had a sustainable economy a long time ago. We'd have had a clean and green economy a long time ago. It's the environmental racism that allowed the powerful people in society to turn a blind eye for decades to the downsides of the industrial system that got us to this point. So there's a direct relationship between environmental racism and the lack of sustainability of society as a whole. We were the canaries in the coal mines, crying for relief. Now finally the consequences are affecting everyone, with global warming and everything else. The other thing is that the environmental justice agenda is also changing. Before, it was much stronger on demanding equal protection from environmental bad. Now we are also demanding equal opportunity and equal access to environmental good. We don't want to be first and worst with all the toxins and all the negative effects of global warming, and then benefit last and least from all the breakthroughs in solar, wind energy, organic food, all the positives. We want an equal share, an equitable share, of the work wealth and the benefits of the transition to a green economy."

http://motherjones.com/environment/2008/10/qa-van-jones

This is now government policy. Not by an act of Congress mind you, but by an Executive Order.

That’s a terrifying thought. Here’s another terrifying thought: Would Mitt Trotsky do anything different ? The answer is a big fat “NO!” when you consider the fact that he believes in the phony science known as “climate change”.

Please ping your list. I think this is very important.

6
posted on 04/09/2012 9:19:05 PM PDT
by Absolutely Nobama
(The Right Of You To Be You Is At Stake....Resist Cultural Marxism!)

Department of Homeland Security. Created with it’s nazi sounding name in the aftermath of 9/11. Had the supposed mission to protect us from islamic attacks.

Now it is expressly the friend of islam, and has turned all it’s attention on us, and is dedicated to pushing revolutionary socialist goals. Last thanksgiving they produced videos of the dangers of Turkey frying.

It has only been 10 years, and they resemble nothing of what they were allegedly created for.
Lesson learned.

7
posted on 04/09/2012 9:19:09 PM PDT
by DesertRhino
(I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for officeoffI)

“Humanity stands at a defining moment in history. We are confronted with a perpetuation of disparities between and within nations, a worsening of poverty, hunger, ill health and illiteracy, and the continuing deterioration of the ecosystems on which we depend for our well-being. However,
integration of environment and development concerns and greater attention to them will lead to the fulfilment of basic needs, improved living standards for all, better protected and managed ecosystems and a safer, more prosperous future. No nation can achieve this on its own; but together we can - in a global partnership for sustainable development.”

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